164 FORESTS, WOODS, AND TREES 



a distinct geographical area characterised by wild forests of 

 Scots pine and of Betula vemicosa. 



(2) Red birch {Betula puhescens), with hairy twigs and 

 spreading or ascending branches, is found on wetter soils 

 and in moister climates than the silver birch, and is the 

 prevailing species in Ireland and the west of Scotland. It 

 is a more rigid tree, of less size, and with a darker bark. 

 It will grow on marshy ground and wet peat, but of course 

 under such circumstances is only a small tree. 



Birch is useful for temporary fencing, and lasts a long 

 time when creosoted. It is also valuable for pitwood, 

 furniture, bobbins, spools, etc. 



Poplar. — Of the numerous kinds of poplar, those of 

 interest to the forester are grey poplar, aspen, and black 

 Italian poplar. 



1. Black Italian poplar (Fopulus serotina) is of hybrid 

 origin, being the result of a cross between the European 

 Fopulus nigra and the American Fopulus deltoidea, two 

 wild species. Black Italian poplar is always propagated 

 by cuttings or sets, and bears male flowers. It is the latest 

 of all the poplars in coming into leaf Its hybrid origin 

 accounts for its astonishing vigour. Grown in the open, it 

 produces a larger volume of timber and comes to maturity 

 earlier than any other broad-leaved tree in this country. 

 In good situations, it reaches 100 to 120 feet in height 

 in 50 or 60 years, a single stem often containing 100 

 cubic feet of timber at that age. It grows freely in 

 most soils, and is extremely hardy, resisting frosts at all 

 seasons. Except in sheltered positions, it suffers from wind 

 in Ireland and on the western seaboard of Scotland and 

 Wales ; but in England and in the other parts of Scotland and 

 Wales it bears a fair amount of exposure. The main value 

 of the tree lies in its capacity for growth in situations and 

 soils where ordinary trees fail. It succeeds in cold, wet, 

 and undrained valleys and meadows; and thrives even on 

 wet clay, provided the stagnant water is drained off. It 

 grows well on shallow bogland and on gravelly soils. 



